The world of handicrafts is rich and vibrant and each weave speaks to a unique Indian identity. The curators of this cultural landscape are the artisans, who glorify the heritage with their abundant talent. Narrating the story of one such community, a craft-centric film ‘The Turban Weavers Of Bhujodi’ sheds light on their labour of love.

Directed by acclaimed photographer Gourab Ganguli, the film is produced by the fashion label Injiri and each shot is designed to glorify the hard work behind the exquisite pieces. Sharing extraordinary stories preserved in the tradition of Bhujodi weaving from Gujarat, with contributions from notable figures.

The creators behind the film hoped to preserve the craft by informing viewers about the labour-intensive art. The narrator, Shamji Bhai Vankar and his family have carried on the Bhujodi weave tradition in its purest form. The craft is linked to his identity and to the identity of his people’s homeland. Hence they attempted to create an authentic portrait of Shamji Bhai, his people, and the values that he represents.

The founder and creative director behind Injiri, Chinar Farooqui, formed a strong affinity with Kutch during her Master’s degree at NID in the year 2006. She believes that craft is more than just technique, skill, culture, and traditions but rather about the real faces behind the weave. The film is an ode to their stories told through Farooqui’s lens, which emphasises the preservation of heritage and prepares the craft for a brighter future across the industry.

Find out more about the film here.

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